The leaves are changing color, the air is getting cooler, and pumpkin spice everything is back on store shelves. That can only mean one thing—it’s time for some autumn writing prompts! Here are 30 ideas to get your students’ creative juices flowing as they write about all things fall-themed.
Weekly Paragraphs with Autumn Writing Prompts
The Weekly Paragraph Writing Prompts is a guided and scaffolded writing routine to teach students how to write a well-developed paragraph. Each day of the week, students use the “reminders” to write a small portion of the paragraph. Students put each writing piece together on the last day to form a completed paragraph.
Although the activity is called Guided and Structured Paragraph Writing, I jokingly say it should have been called “No More Groans with Painless Paragraph Writing.”
If you’d like to try it out, I have a FREE Paragraph Writing Handbook and one full week of Structured Paragraph Writing for you. Just click this link here.
September
- What does it feel like to be in the _______ grade?
- Tell about one event that would happen if you were a pirate.
- What do you do when you have trouble with an assignment?
- What is your favorite season and why?
If interested, the September Paragraph Writing Prompts are linked here.
October
- Describe your favorite candy.
- Tell what you do during a fire drill.
- What should your teacher be for Halloween this year? Why?
- Write about a pumpkin that grew as large as your house. What would you do?
Snag the October Paragraph Writing Prompts, which are linked here.
November
- Write a narrative about an event that takes place between a scarecrow and a crow.
- If you could vote for anyone to be President of the USQ, who would it be and why?
- Describe your favorite fall meal.
- Tell me how you would cook a turkey.
The November Paragraph Writing Prompts are linked here.
Fold and Hang Autumn Writing Prompts with Picture
As a teacher, you often have a to-do list as long as your arm. And I know just how frustrating it is to redo bulletin boards whenever you have new student writing to display. That’s why I created the Fold and Hang Writing Prompts.
With one single paper, you can give your students an engaging writing prompt with a starter picture to help support the writing. After students complete their writing, you slide the paper over and a one-inch ribbon to display. Slip the papers on and off the board whenever students need to read/share with the class.
Your writing display will quickly be the most used area of your classroom. And to think it takes under two minutes to display new student writing!
September- Autumn Writing Prompts
- What is the most a-peel-ing type of apple, in your opinion?
- Write an informative piece telling about why your grandparents are special to you.
- Write an imaginary narrative about a pirate who shows up at the school.
- Write an opinion piece explaining what you love best about autumn.
- Write an imaginary narrative story where you and Johnny Appleseed are best friends.
You can check out the September Fold & Hang Writing Prompts here.
October- Autumn Writing Prompts
- Write an informative piece about a place you would like to explore. (Christopher Columbus Day)
- Write an opinion piece stating if you enjoy pumpkin-flavored foods or not.
- Write an imaginative narrative about Frankenstein coming to your house to play.
- Write an informative piece explaining everything you know about fire safety.
- Write an informative piece telling about something you no longer worry about.
Click here if you also want the October structured practice for your students.
November- Autumn Writing Prompts
- Write a thank you letter to a Veteran for their service and sacrifices.
- Write an informative piece explaining all the amazing things that are happening in your life.
- Write an informative piece explaining everything you eat during Thanksgiving dinner.
- Write a narrative story where you have $100 to shop during Black Friday.
- Who would you vote for as President of the United States, your mom or your dad?
To view the November Fold & Hang Writing Prompts, click here.
Autumn Writing Prompts & Craftivities
I created the Monthly Writing Craftivities to engage the reluctant writers and motivate the most exuberant of writers. Writing supports, and differentiation pages are the keys to success with the writing activities. And the craft adds the perfect touch, making the writing display-worthy.
September Writing Prompt & Craft
- Write a narrative story about two unlikely kids who become the best of friends, living “Apple-y Ever After.” (Apple Narrative Writing Craftivity)
October Writing Prompt & Craft
- How do you include peace, love, and pumpkin (spice) in your life during the fall? (Pumpkin Writing Craftivity)
November Writing Prompt & Craft
- Write about how you usually spend your Thanksgiving day. (Turkey/Thanksgiving Writing Craftivity)
No matter what prompted or inspired them, we hope these ideas get your students excited about writing this autumn! For more resources to help engage your students in writing, check out our blog post on Kid Approved Classroom Writing Centers.
Are your students struggling and making very little progress in writing? Or maybe they’re unmotivated or a reluctant writer? If so, I’ve got your back.
Yes…I…Do!
Let me share my secret sauce when it comes to teaching writing to elementary students.
It’s the Sentences, Paragraphs, and Essays: OH, MY! E-book.
Click this link to learn more about how the E-Book can transform your students’ chicken scratch, hap-hazard writing into strong, effective, glorious writing!
Happy writing!
–Melissa
